Shoppers Rethink Groceries as Prices Hit 50-Year High

A half-century high in grocery prices is forcing Americans to rework shopping and meals: people coupon, compare stores, switch brands, and cut back on meat and nonessential items as at-home food costs rise about 33% since 2019; ground beef costs have surged roughly 79% since 2019 with a pound around $6.82 in June; factors include pandemic-related supply chains, droughts, bird flu, tariffs, and energy costs, plus geopolitical turmoil; experiences vary by city and income, with many households turning to discounts, food banks, or SNAP for relief, while wages have risen only modestly relative to prices.